Boston’s playoff push faces a six-man rotation after Payton Tolle’s short Friday start, exposing the bullpen on a six-game road trip. Arizona jumped early, Boston rallied in the eighth, then the D-backs answered. Weissert shined with a run-free relief appearance, Bregman snapped a cold spell, and Romy Gonzalez stayed scorching-hot. Fantasy takeaway: watch bullpen roles closely, gauge Tolle’s next turn, and ride the Bregman-Gonzalez duo as Rafaela nears return.

Boston turned fantasy football draft order into a clubhouse spectacle. Names were written on baseballs and Jason Varitek, the Red Sox game-planning and run-prevention coach, gave the swings. The farther a ball traveled, the better the pick. Greg Weissert endured a miscue and slid to a late slot, a reminder that preseason theatrics can tilt rosters as surely as last season’s stats.

Boston isn’t alone in park-based odds-setting: Fenway’s Green Monster golf-shot ritual preceded this, and Toronto used Rogers Centre to drop parachutable army figurines toward a bucket. These quirks showcase how teams blend sport and strategy for fantasy leverage; for managers, the takeaway is to treat the order as chaos and seek value where it emerges in the shuffle.

As the 2025 MLB season approaches its halfway point, teams are beginning to solidify their standings, impacting bullpen roles and save opportunities. Luke Weaver of the New York Yankees is expected to return, potentially altering the save hierarchy in New York, where Devin Williams has excelled in his absence. The Texas Rangers' bullpen remains fluid, with Luke Jackson and Robert Garcia both vying for saves. Shelby Miller has emerged as the primary closer for the Arizona Diamondbacks amidst injuries, while the Atlanta Braves continue to evaluate their closer options, with Raisel Iglesias looking to reclaim his role. Daniel Palencia has solidified his status as the Chicago Cubs' closer, while the Philadelphia Phillies seem to be testing a committee approach with Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm. Calvin Faucher is gaining traction in save scenarios for the Miami Marlins, and Greg Weissert is carving out a high-leverage role in the Boston Red Sox bullpen.

While Alex Verdugo's time with the New York Yankees may be short-lived, the Boston Red Sox are enjoying the fruits of their trade from December 2023, particularly through the performance of pitcher Greg Weissert, who has a solid 3.00 ERA across 22 appearances. The deal also featured Richard Fitts, a promising prospect who has shown impressive form, recording a 1.74 ERA before unfortunately sustaining a right pectoral strain. Fitts recently showcased his potential in a successful rehab start, striking out two batters in three scoreless innings, and hitting a top speed of 95 mph with his fastball. The Red Sox, however, have faced challenges with their pitching depth this season, struggling to meet expectations with a collective ERA of 4.03, ranking 18th in the league. The return of Fitts could be pivotal in bolstering their rotation as they look to maintain competitive momentum against the Yankees.